- December 24, 2024
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Matanzas Woods recently had “exploratory” meetings with Jim Cullis, of Grand Haven Properties, so he could feel out community opinion on an alternative use (a regional park) for the closed Matanzas Golf Course.
The plan, as Mr. Cullis explained, would entail purchasing the land and donating it back to the city for conversion to a regional park. If Mr. Cullis and his company do not feel they can build consensus around the idea and other alternative ideas, they may not proceed with the contract to purchase.
One group sprung up immediately with resistance and feels the only means to restore property values and the neighborhood is by re-opening the golf course property. As a homeowner on the golf course since 2004, I do not agree, and here is why:
1. The current owner, the Golf Group of Palm Coast (owners of the Cypress and Pine Lakes courses), have indicated they have no intention of ever re-opening the course at this time.
2. It’s estimated that it would take $5 million or more to restore the course just to re-open.
3. Palm Coast and Flagler County are home to seven existing courses, all of which have seen declines, and the city-owned Palm Harbor course has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last few years. It is not an economy-thing: It’s an over-saturated market.
4. To not consider alternative uses for the property will keep the property in its current deteriorating state and ensure property values will decline further, unnecessarily.
There are two main reasons which drive the value of golf course properties up — a view and privacy (no homes in one’s backyard). A regional park offers both, plus it adds in close proximity to outdoor activities for everyone. Likewise, this would revitalize the existing neighborhood by adding in its own unique element, benefiting immediate property owners and Palm Coast as a whole.
Matanzas Woods experienced a couple of negative developer proposals since the closure of the course, and I personally was opposed to each. But this is not such a situation. The idea and opportunity to bring a regional park and revitalize the golf course property is an excellent opportunity for the neighborhood.
If you’d like to know more, help spread the word, and/or discuss the possibilities and issue further; connect with us at: facebook.com/matanzaswoodsmatters or twitter.com/matanzaswoods.
Brad M. West is a resident of Matanzas Woods.
